Reinforced polymer x-ray window

Abstract

An x-ray window comprising a polymer and carbon nanotubes and/or graphene. The carbon nanotubes and/or graphene can be embedded in the polymer. Multiple layers of polymer, carbon nanotubes, and/or graphene may be used. The polymer with carbon nanotubes and/or graphene can be used as an x-ray window support structure and/or thin film.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An x-ray window including a film, the film comprising:
 a) graphene embedded in a polymer; 
 b) the film is substantially transmissive to x-rays having an energy in the range of 100-20,000 electronvolts; 
 c) the film is capable of withstanding a differential pressure of at least 1 atmosphere; 
 d) the film has a thickness of between about 50 nm to about 500 nm; 
 e) the film is attached to a mount; and 
 f) the mount is configured for attachment to an x-ray tube or an x-ray window. 
 
     
     
       2. The x-ray window of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one polymer layer disposed adjacent to the film. 
     
     
       3. The x-ray window of  claim 1 , wherein the film comprises at least two films stacked together, each film including graphene embedded in a polymer. 
     
     
       4. The x-ray window of  claim 1 :
 a) further comprising a plurality of ribs having openings therein, wherein tops of the ribs terminate substantially in a common plane, and a support frame disposed around a perimeter of the plurality of ribs; 
 b) wherein the film is disposed over and spans the plurality of ribs and openings to pass radiation therethrough; and 
 c) the ribs comprise carbon nanotubes embedded in a polymer. 
 
     
     
       5. The x-ray window of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises a polyimide. 
     
     
       6. The x-ray window of  claim 1 , wherein
 the film is capable of withstanding temperatures of greater than 225° C. 
 
     
     
       7. The x-ray window of  claim 1 , wherein the film is mounted on an x-ray tube. 
     
     
       8. The x-ray window of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a) the mount is attached to an x-ray detector; and 
 b) the film allow x-rays to impinge upon the detector. 
 
     
     
       9. The x-ray window of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a) another film including carbon nanotubes disposed in a polymer; 
 b) the another film including the carbon nanotubes disposed in the polymer stacked together with the film including graphene embedded in the polymer. 
 
     
     
       10. An x-ray window comprising:
 a) a plurality of ribs having openings therein and tops of the ribs terminate substantially in a common plane; 
 b) a support frame disposed around and connected to a perimeter of the plurality of ribs; 
 c) the ribs and support frame comprise carbon nanotubes embedded in a polymer; and 
 e) a thin film disposed over and spanning the plurality of ribs and openings to pass radiation therethrough. 
 
     
     
       11. The x-ray window of  claim 10  wherein the openings take up about 70% to about 95% of a total area within an inner perimeter of the support frame. 
     
     
       12. The x-ray window of  claim 10  wherein each rib is about less than 100 μm wide and each rib is between about 30 μm to about 300 μm high. 
     
     
       13. The x-ray window of  claim 10  wherein the thin film comprises graphene and polyimide. 
     
     
       14. The x-ray window of  claim 13  wherein the graphene is embedded in the polyimide. 
     
     
       15. An x-ray window comprising:
 a) a composite film comprising carbon nanotubes embedded in a polymer; 
 b) the composite film has a thickness of between about 50 nm to about 500 nm; 
 c) the composite film is substantially transmissive to x-rays having an energy in the range of 100-20,000 electronvolts; 
 d) the composite film is capable of withstanding a differential pressure of at least 1 atmosphere; and 
 e) the composite film is capable of withstanding temperatures of greater than 225° C. 
 
     
     
       16. The x-ray window of  claim 15 , wherein the a majority of the carbon nanotubes are randomly aligned. 
     
     
       17. The x-ray window of  claim 15 , wherein a majority of the carbon nanotubes are aligned substantially parallel with respect to a surface of the film. 
     
     
       18. The x-ray window of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a) a plurality of ribs having openings therein and tops of the ribs terminate substantially in a common plane; 
 b) a support frame disposed around and connected to a perimeter of the plurality of ribs; 
 c) the ribs and support frame comprise carbon nanotubes and a polymer; and 
 d) the composite film disposed over and spanning the plurality of ribs and openings to pass radiation therethrough.